L&D Jobs Summer 2014

[birthingbabiesrn]

I'm a new grad who's had her RN license for three months and has been unable to land a nursing job due to the lack of openings in her area, let alone in L&D.

I am willing to relocate for an L&D position, but I don't know where in the U.S. is in particular need for nurses in L&D and will take a new grad.

Anyone have any insight?

Thanks!

[OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN]

Don't agree. If l and d is where you want to be go for it. There's not much similarities between med surg and l and d. Our experienced but not ob experienced nurses sometimes struggle more. Ob is its own world.

[birthingbabiesrn]

Q&D, thanks so much for your post! I actually received an email from the DoN at SHC after completing an application, but she's on vacation for the next week so I haven't spoken to her on the phone yet.

How are you liking it up there so far? I used to live in Seattle and have lived pretty much always in metropolitan areas, so that type of area is very new to me.

Any insight would be appreciated!

You might have already found something, but I wanted to tell you a little bit about my experience.

A few months ago, I was living in the Seattle area, working in pediatric home health, and trying desperately to get any acute care job with the goal of eventually moving into L&D, my dream job. I ended up applying to at least 100+ acute care jobs in Washington and Oregon, in large hospitals and critical access/rural hospitals both. I'd gotten certs for ACLS, NRP, STABLE and taken AWHONN's intro to fetal monitoring class, and had lots of friends in OB, both nurses and MDs. Still, no bites, just a few pre-screen interviews. I know for a fact that only having an ADN made it more challenging to find a job, so just know that it's harder with an associate's degree.

All that said: A few months ago, I saw a random post on Allnurses.com about how a hospital in Sidney, MT needed nurses because of an population boom. I applied and they called me within 24 hours. I ended up moving here in June to work as an OB nurse.

Not everyone has the flexibility to move for a job, especially to a small, remote town in NE Montana where it's -40 degrees on a regular basis in the winter. But it was totally worth it for me. My recommendation: If you haven't already gotten those certs, start signing up. And make friends/professional contacts in the OB field. But if that doesn't work for you, really consider expanding your search field. Even if it's somewhere you can't imagine staying long term.

Just my two cents. Hope it helps and good luck!!